There was a study which included children ages 2 to 16 undergoing outpatient urologic surgery at SZMC – divided kids into two groups: surgical team included a “medical clown” in the operating room vs not having a clown included.
Results: “The clown’s antics were tied to less anxiety for kids before and after surgery, less time in the operating room, lower levels of pain, and shorter time to discharge from the hospital ….There was even a financial bonus: Related reductions in surgery and recovery time led to a cost savings of more than $461 per patient.
Source: Shaare Zedek Hospital
